Trump's AI Pope Post Ignites Vatican Fury
AI-generated image of United States President Donald Trump dressed as the pope. Photo courtesy of The White House. Public domain.
President Donald Trump lit the internet on fire — again — this time with a meme that some found blasphemous, others found hilarious, and no one could quite ignore. The AI-generated image, showing Trump dressed as the Pope, was posted just days after the funeral of Pope Francis, and as cardinals from around the world prepare to select the next leader of the Catholic Church.
With one flick of his finger — and likely a Truth Social login — Trump set off a culture clash, a theological meltdown, and a political spectacle all in one swipe.
A Meme That Broke the Mood
The image, which first appeared on Truth Social and was soon reposted to both the official White House Instagram and X accounts, showed Trump clad in white papal robes, a golden crucifix, and the traditional bishop's mitre.
The timing was more than eyebrow-raising: Pope Francis had died less than two weeks prior, and the Vatican was still observing its official mourning period.
Donald Trump, Pope Francis, and Melania Trump in 2017. Photo by Shealeah Craighead under CC BY 3.0.
The meme came just days after Trump, speaking to reporters, offhandedly joked that he'd like to be Pope. According to Newsweek, he said, "That would be my number one choice. No, I don't know, I have no preference... I must say, we have a cardinal [Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York since 2009] that happens to be out of a place called New York, who's very good."
That joke snowballed into full-blown internet chaos.
Vance Defends, Vatican Bristles
Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic and one of the last Americans to meet with Pope Francis before his death, brushed off the post as humor. According to Politico, Vance posted on X, saying "As a general rule, I'm fine with people telling jokes and not fine with people starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen.".
According to the Guardian, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) also appeared receptive to the idea, posting on X, "I was excited to hear that President Trump is open to the idea of being the next Pope. This would truly be a dark horse candidate, but I would ask the papal conclave and Catholic faithful to keep an open mind about this possibility! The first Pope-U.S. President combination has many upsides. Watching for white smoke .... Trump MMXXVIII!" However, according to Politico, Graham may have been making a tongue-in-cheek comment.
Not everyone found the joke, or suggestion, of Trump becoming Pope funny. According to the Guardian, The New York State Catholic Conference, which represents the bishops of the state, responded sharply, saying, "There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President. We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us.".
Italian media joined the criticism, with the newspaper La Repubblica accusing Trump of "pathological megalomania," according to the Guardian.
Even Matteo Renzi, Italy's former prime minister, found cause for comment. According to the Guardian, he posted on X, "This is an image that offends believers, insults institutions and shows that the leader of the rightwing world enjoys clowning around."
The Internet Had Thoughts — Lots of Them
Meanwhile, social media users responded in the only way they know how — with memes, mockery, and digital pitchforks.
According to the Newsweek, a parody account, pretending to be Trump's son Barron, asked followers what "Pope name" they would give his dad. Suggestions included "Pope TRUMPendous the First" and "Pope Foolamus."
Can Trump Actually Become Pope?
Short answer — no.
While Trump may be a self-described non-denominational Christian, eligibility for the papacy still requires one critical thing — Catholicism. According to canon law, any baptized male can technically be elected Pope, but if he's not already a bishop, he would need to be ordained first. Still, the idea of a sitting U.S. president converting and being elected Pope remains firmly in the realm of fiction.
Even Trump's nod to Cardinal Timothy Dolan—New York's Archbishop since 2009 — has little bearing. No American has ever been elected Pope, and betting odds currently favor Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
The conclave to elect Pope Francis's successor begins May 7 in Rome. So far, there's no white — or orange — smoke.
A Joke or a Jibe?
Some see Trump's post as a lighthearted jab. Others view it as tone-deaf at best, deeply disrespectful at worst. It also raises larger questions about how AI-generated images, jokes, and political messaging intersect in an era where world leaders blur the lines between statecraft and social media stunts.
References:Trump sparks outrage with AI image of himself as Pope | Vance defends Trump's post depicting AI-generated image of himself as pope | Trump accused of 'mocking' Catholics after posting image of himself as pope | Pope Trump Picture Sparks Avalanche of Jokes, Memes | Trump Posts AI-Generated Image of Himself Dressed as the Pope
